Back to the usual blather

After a day for everyone to catch their breath, we offer this a bit later that usual but it felt good to sleep for a wee bit of extended time.

-

So what do we all make of Chris Bosh’s torrid start to the season?

The numbers, as we showed in the paper today, are quite something and I think the one I’m most impressed with is the more than four offensive rebounds he’s getting per game. We haven’t seen that kind of aggression on the offensive glass over an extended period in years.

But what I found most interesting in the 10-minute chat we had in a corner of the Energy Solutions Arena locker room the other night was his contention that a large part of his transformation came about because he wanted to really be considered among the elite in the league.

Ego-driven, it is. And, to me, that’s a very good thing.

All the best players in every sport have a lot of “me” about them, a bit of selfishness and a cockiness that makes them stand out. Bosh really hasn’t shown much of that, he’s talked it a little bit in the past but he’s never really displayed it on a consistent basis. Now? He is.

No, his game is far from perfect and he fully admits to a couple of brain freezes on defence that cost his team buckets and he knows that has to improve. But there is an edge to him this year that can only help.

He remains the team’s best player – by far – and if the best player has an edge to him, you’d think it would eventually rub off onto some of his teammates.

-

You all remember Ira, right? My guy at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel?

Well, here’s what he’s got to say today before this big one.

-

Speaking of travel heck, I want to personally thank United Airlines for screwing things up yesterday by having the plane that was coming to get us in Salt Lake be late so we were late getting to Chicago and the connection home was missed.

Nothing like a 15-hour travel day to end a week-long trip.

-

Here’s the thing.

You read my mail and you’d think this is the worst 5-7 team in the history of basketball. More Nets-like than you could imagine.

Guess what?

They’re not the elite but they’re not with the dregs and isn’t that what everyone expected when this whole exercise began? Not sure what kind of instant gratification everyone was thinking about over the first three weeks of the season but, two below .500 now is about where they should be.

This is, in my opinion, still about a 43-win team, all things being equal, and being 5-7 now may not equate mathematically to that number but, in the reality of an NBA season and the vagaries of the schedule, I still think it does.

-

You saw Dave’s piece on Reggie Evans, I presume.

And there you have it: No one knows for certain when he’ll be back so the questions can end, right?

Let me also say this: Reggie is good and he’s tough and he’ll answer a lot of needs this team has. But, please, don’t think that he minute he’s back in uniform that things will magically turn around and be good every second of every game.

Fans sometimes have this ability to over-estimate the value of missing pieces and turn them into something they’re not.

The Raptors will get consistently good when everybody – chief among them the other 11 guys in uniform – put out a consistent effort every night.

It’s on guys like Bosh and Bargnani, Calderon and Turkoglu, DeRozan, Bellinelli, Wright and Johnson and Jack to be better more often.

Yes, Reggie helps; no, he doesn’t get it going better all the time just by himself.

-

Only a few days left to enter our nifty contest. If I were you, I’d click here and try to get in on the fun.

-

We all have read, or heard, that the Knicks have some interest in Allen Iverson, who cleared waivers last night.

Well, the whispers I was hearing at a couple of places on the road trip was that Miami might be in the mix, too. Not sure how that fits – well, I’m not sure how Iverson fits anywhere, to tell you the truth – but I do know he’d probably get his wish to be a starter.

The thing would be if he’d try to dominate the ball on a team with Dwyane Wade, that’s where trouble lurks.

But we will know tonight where Iverson will land.

Under waiver rules, teams put “claims” in on players who are on waivers and if there are more than one claim on a player when that period ends, the team with the worst record is “awarded him.”

So, if the Knicks and Heat want him, well, he’s off to New York.

Might make the pre-game period tonight a little more interesting as we wait around and see what happens.

-

Speaking of pre-game period, we’re back to some kind of normal schedule around here.

We’ll try to knock off a 1 p.m. chat; we’ll try to get an episode of GruntTV on the air and then the regular game drill tonight.

We’re also going to put together a Sunday mailbag (I believe blowing off practice tomorrow will be in my best interest) so if you’ve got some non-game specific queries send ‘em along.

And by that, I mean questions that aren’t: “Well, they sucked in the first quarter in Utah, here’s 250 words on why I think that way. “What do you say?”

-

As I’m sitting out the missed connection at O’Hare yesterday, in the cramped little Air Canada corner by Gate E1, I’m thinking just how much I dislike that airport.

Too spread out but too crowded; the $10 little sandwich and bottle of water was a bit much to take and there just seems to be a bad vibe around the place.

Comments

[kelsie]

Hey Doug,

I did read Dave's article although I contemplated it for a good 2 minutes before I clicked on the link.

He mentioned that: Their defensive scheme is new to everyone (although Antoine Wright, the hobbled perimeter lockdown specialist, has alarmingly suggested the Raptors need another new one).

I didn't get to hear any of the media sessions yesterday (or if they had any) but did Wright really allude to that?

I hope this is just an example of taking some player comments and running with them a little bit, as that is not a positive sign if true.

Blogger's note: There was no media yesterday; Wright made a comment to the other paper after, I believe, the game in Denver that they need to be better defensively or make changes. This was, of course, after Carmelo scorched them

[Andrew]

Doug, what do you make of John Hollinger's suggestions that the 09/10 Toronto Raptors have "the worst defense in NBA history"? And that Andrea Bargnani "might be the worst help defender in the league"?

Blogger's note: No much.

[Peter]

Doug, agree with you on Bosh, he's been more aggressive this season than I've ever seen him. The extra weight looks good on him and has probably helped. Now if only someone could light a spark under Andrea's butt...

[anthony.mackay]

Morning Doug,
Did you see what Elton Brand did a couple days ago putting up that stat stuffer? If that game got him going and he turns back into the guy Phili thought they signed then we need Evans back ASAP, that will be a very entertaining matchup watching hard nosed similar size players that will go to battle in the post.

Any update on Evans, sure could have used his 10 boards and 6 fouls against that Jazz team as we simply ran out of gas down the stretch.

[BBall]

Do you agree with your colleague that Bosh is only interested in putting up offensive numbers in a contract year? While Bosh has never been considered a solid defender, he has increased his rebounding numbers and is sometimes the only Raptor putting forth a strong effort. Unrealistic to expect Bosh to lead the team in scoring and rebounding by a large margin, carry the team and expect him to be the top dog for the team on both ends of the court. Whether its because of he who shall not be named preceded him or he doesn't make the nightly highlight reel on Sportscentre, I sense the Bosh is not truly appreciated by Raptor fans in Toronto and won't be until he's no longer here

[LeeZ]

Antoine Wright was quoted as saying the Raps need some new defensive schemes. Has Jay commented on this somewhat controversial remark? Any fallout at all from the quote?

Blogger's note: It wasn't really a "controversial remark." It was part of brief conversation with another reporter from the Sun after the Raptors, and Wright, had been blitzed by Anthony for like 32 points. Entirely expected, entirely out of frustration.

[Brent]

Doug, you mentioned that Iverson 'cleared waivers' . Doesn't that normally mean that no team put a claim in on the player, and that he has passed through waivers? Perhaps this is just a puck/baseball phraseology because those leagues have farm systems (and normally have to wait for a player to move through the waiver system before being able to designate a player to a farm team.) Or is the term 'cleared waivers' being used only to designate the time period that a team can put a claim in?

Blogger' note: It refers to the time period

[timbo slice]

Doug,
I've just read that so far this season the Raps are #1 offensively per 100 possessions and last defensively per 100 possessions. With a 5-7 record against pretty good teams, I would look at this as a positive. I think the offense is going to be stable throughout the year while the defense can only get better (after they have a bit of a home stand and have some time to work on the defensive schemes). I'd like to know your thoughts on this...

Blogger's note: I think you make valid points

[Matt M]

I agree with Bosh from today's column. You can see the signs this will be a very good team. They need more effort of the defensive end of the floor from everyone to make it happen. It has to begin with the starters, and really, Bargnani and Calderon have to pick up their game on the defensive side, especially at the start of games. They have both shown flashes that they can help this team but now they need to bring consistent effort game in and game out. They are more than capable.
As for Evans, wasn't he the fourth big for a mediocre Philly team last year. He might bring a little toughness maybe, and that might be good on the defensive side in small doses. I'm not really sure what he brings is going to be an improvement over what Johnson has been doing with Evans' minutes already.

[RC]

Have you commented on Brandon Jennings? Considering how high the Raps are on Euro-scouting, was there ever any interest in him prior to the draft? I know I read everything back then but I can't remember.

Blogger's note: I'm going to wait a while on any rookie; and, no, there was very little interest here

[Andrew]

Doug, either you or ESPN is mistaken about the whole waiver situation. According to ESPN.com, Iverson has cleared waivers, which means he is now a free agent.

Also, the Knicks couldn't have put in a waiver claim, even if they wanted to, since they're over the salary cap. They have to sign Iverson as a free agent to the veteran minimum.

[Nat]

Doug,
I agree O'Hare is the bane of my exsistance. I have had too many bad lay overs there once sitting in the airport for 10 hours followed by the tarmac for 5. I fly through there is year on my way to vist family in China on the 23rd of December-- here's hoping its not a repeat of years past....

[Mike kovacs]

As I've said before here and I know you agree - stay away from Chicago airport even if it means paying a bit more! Time is money!

[Manny]

Hi Doug,

Any word if the Raptors are proceeding to pay tribute to Vince Carter this Sunday's game?

thanks

Manny

Blogger's note: No and the "tribute" will be about a 20-second video clip during a timeout, it's not like some elaborate ceremony

[LeeZ]

Excellent piece in the NYTimes today about teams' uber-reliance on the pick and roll. Interestingly, it says that going under (as opposed to over) the pick is, statistically speaking, the more successful defensive strategy. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/sports/basketball/20pick.html

[CC]

Although Bosh has improve statistically, i have to wait in the middle or end of the season to judge weather he is one of the "elite" of his class. He can't blame people not including him when talking for he has still not proven he can carry his team to the next level. Yes, they made the playoffs years ago but that was during when the east was horrible especially the Atlantic Division. Last year, he had better support compared to Wade from the Heat. They (Heat) made the playoff Raps didn't. This year, the support group improved, if the raps won't make the playoffs, maybe management should start thinking maybe the support group is not the problem.

[james]

The Miami link repeated the old saw about Bosh and Wade wanting to play
together, presumably in Miami. Just curious, is there any way Toronto could afford to sign both Wade and Bosh without totally gutting the team? Colangelo has certainly demonstrated and ability to completely remake a roster in one off-season.

Blogger's note: Probably not

[Paul B]

20 games people, 20 games. most are trying to micromanage.

[Ralph]

Before the season started it was acknowledged nearly everywhere that the Raps would need all of November and probably some of December to really get it together. It's not December yet, and they're looking better and better in longer stretches. I think this is gonna be a good team.

[DougG]

Jose is really getting hammered for his defense this year, but lets face it, none of the Raptor starting five are exactly what one might call "defensive beasts." Bosh is likely our best defensive player and that probably shouldn't be. Our center ought to be a dominant defensive force. The only way they win, it seems, is if they are shooting the lights out, and scoring way more points than they are giving up.
.
Reggie will certainly help. But unless Jose, Andrea, Hedo and Bosh get to the point where they are consistently shooting the lights out, they need to play better defense, for the times when the offense is not firing on all cylinders. Defense has to be just as "sexy" to the players on the team, and the fans for that matter, as offense is. Lazy, is one of the words that comes to mind now when contemplating how they play defense. It isn't just Jose who has the problem. One way or another they need to lose the "soft" label by no longer having it as an attribute.

[Darko]

Morning Doug, little off topic, did you catch all the commotion with
that soccer game in Paris, France. Where Henry, one of the top
players in the world just flushed his leggacy down the toilet.
I'll bore you with little story from the past. 1976, Euro's soccer
semifinals, in Belgrade locals are playing mighty Germany, up
1:0 and on a breakaway, our speedy little right winger going full speed
at lone defender who's got no chance. That defender is Franc
Beckenbauer, The Kaiser, best defender of all time. All he's got to
do is tacle the guy, pro's foul, get the yellow card ( you DON'T red
card The Kaiser ) and it stays 1:0. But, he does not have
a " Tierry Henry " moment, sportsman that he is, locals go up 2:0
Some 33 years later that's one of rare things I remember from those Euro's.
BTW, I guess guy from upstairs recognized that and Germany won
the game 4:2 in overtime. All of you Henry's meet The Kaiser.

[Leonardo]

Hi Doug,

Do you think that Bosh's Ego will drive him out of Toronto seeking a new home in more media-centered city like New York?
thanks

Blogger's note: I'll let you know in July

[Manale]

I hate O'Hare, too.

[Chris]

Doug,
On paper, this appears to be one of the best raptors team ever constructed. You only see them as a 43-win team?

[pooks]

Well it turns out I did jinx you! And missing the flight in Chicago, no less. At least you didn't miss a game :)

Blogger's note: Funnily enough, the thought of the "jinx" did cross my mind :)